Holly Tucker. Photo by John B. Breinig.

In her new book Blood Work: A Tale of Medicine and Murder in the Scientific Revolution, historian Holly Tucker weaves a tale of the first blood transfusion experiments (at the time, such transfusions were all animal-to-human) during the mid-17th century, about 150 years before blood transfusion began to enter modern medicine in earnest. Tucker delves into stories of intrigue, heated scientific debates, political rivalries – and murder. Tucker, an associate professor at Vanderbilt University’s Center for Medicine, Health, and Society and the Department of French and Italian, creates a captivating read, breathing life into historical scenes and characters. In this TON podcast by guest contributor Cynthia Graber, Tucker offers tips on reporting science history.

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Here, Tucker reads from the book’s opening scene, in which Jean Denis, the book’s protagonist, crosses Paris to preside over a blood transfusion:

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Tucker and Graber suggest these resources for journalists conducting historical research:

• Project Gutenberg
• Google books
• The British Library

Cynthia Graber

Guest Contributor Cynthia Graber is an award-winning radio and print reporter whose work has appeared on Scientific American’s podcast, World Vision Report, Latino USA, and Public Radio International’s The World and  Living on Earth; and in print publications including the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, Scientific American, and ASK Magazine. She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts. Follow Cynthia on Twitter @cagraber.